What if? Alternative histories and their future implications

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe and explains the development of the evolving mental phenomenon of alternative history.

Design/methodology/approach

The article analyzes the role of the fiction known as the “What if?” school of speculation about the past, some of its conspicuous exemplars, and how its adaptation might affect attitudes and even prejudices about how to view life.

Findings

Present and future are not always what one thought they could become. “What if?” also gives rise to endeavours in “science” fiction and structured projections today dealing with circumstances of tomorrow and after.

Originality/value

Besides providing diversion, the approach serves to illustrate foresight's conception of “retrostrategy”.

Citation

Richardson, J. (2007), "What if? Alternative histories and their future implications", Foresight, Vol. 9 No. 2, pp. 36-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/14636680710737740